IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i19p6967-d1254387.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Renewable Energy and Decarbonization in the Canadian Mining Industry: Opportunities and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Mohamad Issa

    (Department of Applied Sciences, Quebec Maritime Institute, Rimouski 53 Rue St Germain O, Rimouski, QC G5L 4B4, Canada)

  • Adrian Ilinca

    (T3E Industrial Research Group, Mechanical Engineering Department, École de Technologie Supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame St W, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada)

  • Daniel R. Rousse

    (T3E Industrial Research Group, Mechanical Engineering Department, École de Technologie Supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame St W, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada)

  • Loïc Boulon

    (Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada)

  • Philippe Groleau

    (Eldorado Gold Quebec, 1075, 3e Avenue Est, Val-d’Or, QC J9P 0J7, Canada)

Abstract

Mining in Canada stands as one of the most energy-intensive sectors, playing a pivotal role as a significant provider of copper, nickel, and cobalt to the international market. Anticipated growth in the global population, coupled with the transition of several low-income economies to middle-income status, is poised to escalate the demand for essential raw materials. This surge in demand is expected to drive an increase in energy consumption across various stages of the Canadian mining industry, encompassing exploration, extraction, processing, and refining. Due to their geographical constraints, most Canadian mining operations rely heavily on fossil fuels such as diesel and heavy fuel. Considering the global shift towards decarbonization and the pursuit of net-zero emission targets, exploring avenues for adopting electrification solutions and integrating renewable energy technologies, particularly in sizable surface mines, is imperative. Within this context, our study delves into the challenges and prospects associated with infusing renewable energy technologies and embracing electrification alternatives within Canadian mining practices. This exploration encompasses a comprehensive review of pertinent literature comprising academic research, technical analyses, and data disseminated by international entities and experts. The findings underscore a prevalent trend wherein Canadian mining enterprises are prominently investing in robust electric truck fleets, particularly for heavy-duty operations. Additionally, incorporating renewable energy solutions is notably prevalent in remote sites with extended operational lifespans. However, an in-depth examination reveals that the most formidable hurdles encompass successfully integrating renewable energy sources and battery electric vehicles. Financial constraints, logistical intricacies, and the imperative to enhance research and development competencies emerge as pivotal challenges that demand strategic addressing.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamad Issa & Adrian Ilinca & Daniel R. Rousse & Loïc Boulon & Philippe Groleau, 2023. "Renewable Energy and Decarbonization in the Canadian Mining Industry: Opportunities and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:19:p:6967-:d:1254387
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/19/6967/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/19/6967/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Igor Shishlov & Romain Morel & Valentin Bellassen, 2016. "Compliance of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in the first commitment period," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(6), pages 768-782, August.
    2. Wang, Jianda & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Dong, Kangyin & Dong, Xiucheng, 2023. "Renewable energy transition in global carbon mitigation: Does the use of metallic minerals matter?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    3. Davis, Matthew & Ahiduzzaman, Md. & Kumar, Amit, 2018. "How will Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions change by 2050? A disaggregated analysis of past and future greenhouse gas emissions using bottom-up energy modelling and Sankey diagrams," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 754-786.
    4. Jordaan, Sarah M. & Romo-Rabago, Elizabeth & McLeary, Romaine & Reidy, Luke & Nazari, Jamal & Herremans, Irene M., 2017. "The role of energy technology innovation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions: A case study of Canada," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1397-1409.
    5. Marzena Frankowska & Krzysztof Błoński & Marta Mańkowska & Andrzej Rzeczycki, 2022. "Research on the Concept of Hydrogen Supply Chains and Power Grids Powered by Renewable Energy Sources: A Scoping Review with the Use of Text Mining," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-26, January.
    6. Stefan J. Hörtenhuber & Verena Größbacher & Lisa Schanz & Werner J. Zollitsch, 2023. "Implementing IPCC 2019 Guidelines into a National Inventory: Impacts of Key Changes in Austrian Cattle and Pig Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, March.
    7. Mohamad Issa & Adrian Ilinca & Fahed Martini, 2022. "Ship Energy Efficiency and Maritime Sector Initiatives to Reduce Carbon Emissions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-37, October.
    8. Michael Tost & Benjamin Bayer & Michael Hitch & Stephan Lutter & Peter Moser & Susanne Feiel, 2018. "Metal Mining’s Environmental Pressures: A Review and Updated Estimates on CO 2 Emissions, Water Use, and Land Requirements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, August.
    9. Yao Ahoutou & Adrian Ilinca & Mohamad Issa, 2022. "Electrochemical Cells and Storage Technologies to Increase Renewable Energy Share in Cold Climate Conditions—A Critical Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-30, February.
    10. Joseph Kiesecker & Sharon Baruch-Mordo & Mike Heiner & Dhaval Negandhi & James Oakleaf & Christina Kennedy & Pareexit Chauhan, 2019. "Renewable Energy and Land Use in India: A Vision to Facilitate Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.
    11. Ian W.H. Parry & Victor Mylonas, 2017. "Canada’s Carbon Price Floor," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 70(4), pages 879-900, December.
    12. Hosein Kalantari & Seyed Ali Ghoreishi-Madiseh & Agus P. Sasmito, 2020. "Hybrid Renewable Hydrogen Energy Solution for Application in Remote Mines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-22, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Rafał Nagaj & Bożena Gajdzik & Radosław Wolniak & Wieslaw Wes Grebski, 2024. "The Impact of Deep Decarbonization Policy on the Level of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the European Union," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Bożena Gajdzik & Rafał Nagaj & Radosław Wolniak & Dominik Bałaga & Brigita Žuromskaitė & Wiesław Wes Grebski, 2024. "Renewable Energy Share in European Industry: Analysis and Extrapolation of Trends in EU Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-38, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abbas, Qamar & Hongxing, Yao & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Ramzan, Muhammad & Fatima, Sumbal, 2024. "Metallic minerals production and environmental sustainability in China: Insights using ARDL bounds testing and wavelet coherence approaches," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    2. Fan, Fei & Dai, Shangze & Yang, Bo & Ke, Haiqian, 2023. "Urban density, directed technological change, and carbon intensity: An empirical study based on Chinese cities," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    3. Jiwon Yu & Young Jae Han & Hyewon Yang & Sugil Lee & Gildong Kim & Chulung Lee, 2022. "Promising Technology Analysis and Patent Roadmap Development in the Hydrogen Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, October.
    4. David M. Newbery & David M. Reiner & Robert A. Ritz, 2018. "When is a carbon price floor desirable?," Working Papers EPRG 1816, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    5. Šimun Lončarević & Petar Ilinčić & Goran Šagi & Zoran Lulić, 2023. "Development of a Spatial Tier 2 Emission Inventory for Agricultural Tractors by Combining Two Large-Scale Datasets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-19, August.
    6. James McNeice & Harshit Mahandra & Ahmad Ghahreman, 2022. "Biogenic Production of Thiosulfate from Organic and Inorganic Sulfur Substrates for Application to Gold Leaching," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    7. Torres-Brito, David Israel & Cruz-Aké, Salvador & Venegas-Martínez, Francisco, 2023. "Impacto de los contaminantes por gases de efecto invernadero en el crecimiento económico en 86 países (1990-2019): Sobre la curva inversa de Kuznets [Impact of the Effect of Greenhouse Gas Pollutan," MPRA Paper 119031, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Talaei, Alireza & Pier, David & Iyer, Aishwarya V. & Ahiduzzaman, Md & Kumar, Amit, 2019. "Assessment of long-term energy efficiency improvement and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation options for the cement industry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 1051-1066.
    9. Haider, Minza & Davis, Matthew & Kumar, Amit, 2024. "Development of a framework to assess the greenhouse gas mitigation potential from the adoption of low-carbon road vehicles in a hydrocarbon-rich region," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 358(C).
    10. Zhang, Lixiao & Yang, Min & Zhang, Pengpeng & Hao, Yan & Lu, Zhongming & Shi, Zhimin, 2021. "De-coal process in urban China: What can we learn from Beijing's experience?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    11. de Bruin, Kelly & Yakut, Aykut Mert, 2024. "Efficiency–equity trade-off in the Irish carbon tax: A CGE investigation of mixed revenue recycling schemes," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    12. Hwang, Young Kyu & Sánchez Díez, Ángeles, 2024. "Renewable energy transition and green growth nexus in Latin America," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    13. Tian, Xuelin & An, Chunjiang & Chen, Zhikun, 2023. "The role of clean energy in achieving decarbonization of electricity generation, transportation, and heating sectors by 2050: A meta-analysis review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    14. Cary, Michael, 2023. "Climate policy boosts trade competitiveness: Evidence from timber trade networks," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    15. Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie & Ahdi Noomen Ajmi & Festus Fatai Adedoyin & Phebe Asantewaa Owusu, 2021. "Econometrics of Anthropogenic Emissions, Green Energy-Based Innovations, and Energy Intensity across OECD Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-18, April.
    16. Wenshang Chen & Yang Liu & Ben Chen, 2022. "Numerical Simulation on Pressure Dynamic Response Characteristics of Hydrogen Systems for Fuel Cell Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, March.
    17. Wang, Jianda & Dong, Kangyin & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Dong, Xiucheng, 2023. "Does industrial convergence mitigate CO2 emissions in China? A quasi-natural experiment on “Triple Play” Reform," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    18. Jose Manuel Barrera & Alejandro Reina & Alejandro Maté & Juan Carlos Trujillo, 2020. "Solar Energy Prediction Model Based on Artificial Neural Networks and Open Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-20, August.
    19. Liang Liu & Lianshui Li, 2021. "The effect of directed technical change on carbon dioxide emissions: evidence from China’s industrial sector at the provincial level," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 107(3), pages 2463-2486, July.
    20. Lewis C. King & Jeroen C. J. M. Bergh, 2021. "Potential carbon leakage under the Paris Agreement," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 165(3), pages 1-19, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:19:p:6967-:d:1254387. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.